Our tribute to Michigan's 180th birthday -- and Midland's 130th

Updated 2:17 pm, Thursday, January 26, 2017

Midland County Historical Society Director Gary Skory poses for a portrait on the front porch of Midland's oldest documented residence, the Larkin House.

"It's not an old house, it's the old house," Skory said of the home, which was originally built for Midland's founder John Larkin and his wife Amanda on the corner of McDonald and Main Streets in 1864. The home, which was purchased by the Historical Society, now stands at the corner of McDonald and Indian Streets.

Built in 1981, the Tridge is a Midland centerpiece. It's where the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers meet.

Built in 1981, the Tridge is a Midland centerpiece. It's where the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers meet.

Photo: 2014 File Photo

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It's also the go-to for events like RiverDays and the fireworks ...

It's also the go-to for events like RiverDays and the fireworks ...

Photo: 2015 File Photo

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... or a spot to just relax. (Here, a man working toward a doctorate in environmental science told the Daily News in 2012 he took a walk to try to clear his head before an online test.)

... or a spot to just relax. (Here, a man working toward a doctorate in environmental science told the Daily News in 2012 he took a walk to try to clear his head before an online test.)

Photo: Thomas Simonetti/Midland Daily News

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It's a sight to behold at any angle — and stands strong even during major flooding in 2014.

It's a sight to behold at any angle — and stands strong even during major flooding in 2014.

Photo: 2014 File Photo

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Dogs dig the Tridge area, too.

Dogs dig the Tridge area, too.

Photo: 2008 File Photo

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The Chippewa Nature Center celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Here, a Woodcock bird is released after its banding in a 2010 file photo taken at the Center's wetlands. Alma professor Mike Bishop said that the bird is rarely caught compared to some of the more common types in the area.

The Chippewa Nature Center celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Here, a Woodcock bird is released after its banding in a 2010 file photo taken at the Center's wetlands. Alma professor Mike Bishop said

A CNC visitor found an injured bald eagle on the grounds in November 2016, flightless and unable to use its left talon to perch. The eagle was taken to the Wildlife Recovery Association in Shepherd before being released back into nature by Interpretative Naturalist Michelle Fournier.

"That was amazing," Fournier said. "I don't really have words for it. It was exhilarating being that close to an animal and releasing it."

A CNC visitor found an injured bald eagle on the grounds in November 2016, flightless and unable to use its left talon to perch. The eagle was taken to the Wildlife Recovery Association in Shepherd before being

But you don't have to be inside the Nature Center to see wildlife. Residents regularly see deer foraging across the city. Here, deer graze along Whitman Drive on Jan. 11.

But you don't have to be inside the Nature Center to see wildlife. Residents regularly see deer foraging across the city. Here, deer graze along Whitman Drive on Jan. 11.

Photo: Brittney Lohmiller/Midland Daily News/Brittney Lohmiller

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The 110-acre Dow Gardens includes a number of botanically scenic gardens and views of nature. Weddings are often held in the Pineside area.

The 110-acre Dow Gardens includes a number of botanically scenic gardens and views of nature. Weddings are often held in the Pineside area.

Photo: Unknown

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The grounds are just as charming in winter ...

The grounds are just as charming in winter ...

Photo: 2008 File Photo

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... especially during Christmas.

... especially during Christmas.

Photo: 2012 File Photo

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... and at night.

... and at night.

Photo: 2015 File Photo

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But let's get back to Midland history.This photo shows the original Midland County Courthouse in 1890, which was torn down upon completion of the new courthouse in 1926.

But let's get back to Midland history.This photo shows the original Midland County Courthouse in 1890, which was torn down upon completion of the new courthouse in 1926.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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H.H. Dow, left, and Mayor John A. Whitman, right, break ground at the new Midland County Courthouse on Nov. 6, 1924.

H.H. Dow, left, and Mayor John A. Whitman, right, break ground at the new Midland County Courthouse on Nov. 6, 1924.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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This photo shows the new Midland County Courthouse during mid construction. The courthouse is considered the most historic building in Midland since it uses so many local materials.

This photo shows the new Midland County Courthouse during mid construction. The courthouse is considered the most historic building in Midland since it uses so many local materials.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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Members of the Gilkey family deliver rocks to the Midland County Courthouse for the addition in 1958.

Members of the Gilkey family deliver rocks to the Midland County Courthouse for the addition in 1958.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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A 130-year-old photograph is shown in this 2013 file photo. A Midland County Historical Society volunteer identified the photo as a scene from Wright and Ketchum's logging camp in the Sanford/Averill area.

A 130-year-old photograph is shown in this 2013 file photo. A Midland County Historical Society volunteer identified the photo as a scene from Wright and Ketchum's logging camp in the Sanford/Averill area.

People march in Midland's 1910 Decoration Day Parade. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day which was instituted after the American Civil War by the Grand Army of the Republic.

People march in Midland's 1910 Decoration Day Parade. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day which was instituted after the American Civil War by the Grand Army of the Republic.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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People march in Midland's 1913 Gleaner's Convention Parade, a farmer's organization.

People march in Midland's 1913 Gleaner's Convention Parade, a farmer's organization.

Photo: Midland County Historical Society

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Annual tours highlight three of Alden B. Dow’s earliest Midland houses: The Earl Stein Home, built in 1933, the Joseph Cavanaugh Home, built in 1934, and, seen here, the Howard Ball Home, built in 1935.

Annual tours highlight three of Alden B. Dow’s earliest Midland houses: The Earl Stein Home, built in 1933, the Joseph Cavanaugh Home, built in 1934, and, seen here, the Howard Ball Home, built in 1935.

Photo: 2015 File Photo

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An underground tunnel connects the home to the studio. The Daily News toured the Howard Ball House in 2015. See here: http://bit.ly/2kx3EnZ

An underground tunnel connects the home to the studio. The Daily News toured the Howard Ball House in 2015. See here: http://bit.ly/2kx3EnZ

Photo: Erin Kirkland/Midland Daily News/Erin Kirkland

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The Santa House downtown was built in 1987.

The Santa House downtown was built in 1987.

Photo: Theophil Syslo

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It's been a kid-friendly destination every Christmas since.

It's been a kid-friendly destination every Christmas since.

Photo: 2015 File Photo

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The Center for the Arts includes a 1,500-seat auditorium; 400-seat Little Theatre; 97-seat Lecture-Recital Hall; the Hall of Ideas – permanent interactive exhibits; museum exhibit areas on the fourth level; and art studios and rehearsal rooms.

According to the Midland Center for the Arts website: "The construction of the 200,000-square-foot building took 1,500 tons of structural steel, 7,000 yards of concrete, 20 truckloads of brick and lighting equivalent to 27,000 100-watt bulbs. It is situated in “Discovery Square,” a name that Alden B. Dow had given to the area which includes Dow Gardens, the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library and Michigan Molecular Institute."

According to the Midland Center for the Arts website: "The construction of the 200,000-square-foot building took 1,500 tons of structural steel, 7,000 yards of concrete, 20 truckloads of brick and lighting

The Tenors sang a mix of classical, pop and holiday music in this 2015 file photo taken at the Midland Center for the Arts.

The Tenors sang a mix of classical, pop and holiday music in this 2015 file photo taken at the Midland Center for the Arts.

Photo: 2015 File Photo

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City Forest is Midland's largest park, at 520 acres. There's a sledding hill, chalet, hiking, bicycle and skiing trails and other recreation offered year-round.

City Forest is Midland's largest park, at 520 acres. There's a sledding hill, chalet, hiking, bicycle and skiing trails and other recreation offered year-round.

Photo: 2016 File Photo

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Alyce Zynda of Midland watches as her Rocky Mountain horse, Preacher, chews on brush along the trails at City Forest Thursday morning. "He likes City Forest, cause he can go around and eat whatever is within reach," Zynda said.

Alyce Zynda of Midland watches as her Rocky Mountain horse, Preacher, chews on brush along the trails at City Forest Thursday morning. "He likes City Forest, cause he can go around and eat whatever is within

Dow Diamond is seen in this 2016 aerial file photo. The Great Lakes Loons played their inaugural game at Dow Diamond on April 13, 2007, and over 324,000 fans flocked to the stadium that first season, and over two million total since, according to the Loons' official website.

Dow Diamond is seen in this 2016 aerial file photo. The Great Lakes Loons played their inaugural game at Dow Diamond on April 13, 2007, and over 324,000 fans flocked to the stadium that first season, and over

Today marks 180 years since Michigan became the 26th state to join the union, on Jan. 26, 1837. To celebrate, Gov. Rick Snyder, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Bill Schuette and others are attending a “Michigan 180 Turnaround” event in Lansing.

This year also marks Midland’s 130th birthday. The city was incorporated in 1887.

In tribute to Michigan, we put together a collage of what we think shows one of its best sides — a city called Midland. Enjoy!

A bit of Midland history: The city’s population in the late 1880s started at between 1,529 and 2,277, according to Census historical data. By 1850, Midland County formed.

From the city of Midland website: “Midland has evolved from an Indian village to the ‘City of Science and Culture.’ If you visited Midland in the 1850s, you would have discovered riverbanks lined with Chippewa Indian Wikkiups, round huts made of bent saplings, skins, and bark. You may have come across an Indian man hunting or fishing while others worked crops of corn, squash, and pumpkins. The 1,000 acres now known as the Chippewa Nature Center originally were part of the 6,000 acres retained by the Chippewa Tribe under the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.”

Brush up on your Midland knowledge with this 10-question quiz of things you may not have known about the city: http://bit.ly/2j2yZNj

For even more Midland, see why WalletHub ranked the city among the top 15 in the state to raise a family: http://bit.ly/2jVqoun